Blessing The Highlander (5 page)

 
          
Who was he? A clan chief for certain as he wears the braids of a chief.
But she did not know him or where she was or why she was here. She delved deeper into her thoughts and grasped that she did not know her own clan...or even her name. The harder she tried to remember the more sorely her head throbbed. She decided that those answers could wait for now. It would come to her in time.

 
           She heard a deep, rumbling voice inquire, “How do ye fare, Lass?” It felt as though it rolled right through her veins igniting little sparks all the way of its journey. She blinked and opened her mouth to speak but could only manage a whisper. “Thirsty.”

 
           He nodded and picked up a bladder of water bringing it to her. As he knelt beside her raising her head for a drink he cautioned, “Sip slowly, Lass. Your stomach will be unsettled after the blow ye received ta your brow.”

 
           She closed her eyes as she felt his strong arm wrap around her shoulders for support and drank from the skin. Her eyes gaped as she rolled hastily away... bile spewing from her lips. “Are you trying to poison me?” she cried hoarsely.

 
           Garrick was stunned at her outburst then realized the blunder. He brought the skin to his nose and inhaled deeply. Uisge beatha! He cursed himself. He had inadvertently picked up Angus’ skin. “Pardon, Lass, I picked up me cousin’s bladder by mistake. He can nae live without his uisge beatha...or so he claims.” She glared at him as he exchanged the skin for one containing water. He aided her with a drink from the second skin, after both she and Garrick sniffed it, then assisted her as she lay back down. She decided that it was an honest mistake after giving it some thought so she chose to let it pass.

 
           “I hurt all over,” she groaned. “What happened?”

 
           “I can nae be certain but it looks like ye and your mare went over a small bluff. Do nae ye ken what occurred?”

 
           Seonaid shook her head and promptly lamented it as a fresh surge of pain and dizziness engulfed her. She moaned reaching for her head when she felt her hand captured in his. Electricity flashed through her. She gasped at the sensation roiling through her senses. Their eyes collided in a collective stunned surprise. Both frozen in the mysterious maelstrom that held them paralyzed in its grip. In that moment...within that trace of time...she touched Garrick’s soul. She sensed a connection to him that she did not comprehend.
Who are you?
She thought to herself.

 
          
Garrick.
He answered before he realized they were not speaking audibly.

 
          
 He jolted back dropping her hand as if it was on fire.

 
           A trace of fear flashed across his countenance before he quickly masked it. “Ye should rest. If ye are well enough by morn we will travel on ta Castle Brodie.”

 
           She nodded sluggishly closing her eyes to sleep. She was still weak and her eyes were heavy. She would just have to wait till she was stronger to puzzle out the answers, she thought as she drifted back into the blackness.

 
           He had perceived her thoughts! How might this be? Was she a witch? He did not believe in witches, he snorted. That kind of thinking was for superstitious fools. But something transpired, of that he was certain. He made a mental note to himself to speak with the old healer, Hagar, when he returned home. If anyone would discern what it was...she would.

            “The lass spoke ta ye last eve, Garrick? Did she say who her people were?”

 
           He shook his head as he chewed thoughtfully on his oatcake. “Nay. She was nae conscious for long and she was in quite a bit of pain. She did nae even think ta ask me name.”
At least nae where a body could hear her
, he held to himself.

 
           “If she is able, we will continue on home. Liam,” his attention turned to a gangling young lad of about five and ten years old, shaking him out of his awed scrutiny of Seonaid. His freckled face blushed profusely at his laird catching him staring. “Aye m’laird?”

 
           Garrick eyed his young squire. He could not begrudge the lad...or any of his men for staring at Seonaid. She was a stunning woman. But he would not allow anything more. He clenched his fists as the thought annoyed him.

 
           He was a sensible man led by reason tempered with a great deal of patience. That is what made him a worthy laird. He used logic in place of desire when making vital decisions. But when he came near this lass there was no logic, no reason...only passion. He could not fathom it. In all of his thirty years this had never happened to him. He would need to tread lightly where she was concerned. She must be handled prudently.

 
           Garrick glanced up at the lad standing before him. “Ride ahead to the keep and have a chamber prepared for our guest. Let them ken that twill likely be the morrow before we arrive. And have Hagar brought in ta tend her injuries.”

 
           Liam hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting to and fro as he shuffled his feet. Garrick noticed his distress. “Be there a difficulty lad?”

 
           “N-nay m’laird,” he stuttered as he glanced at Seonaid’s sleeping form. “Are ye sure ye will nae need me to care for Cadence. He is right particular about who tends him.”

 
           Garrick’s eyes flashed as he glanced at the true object of Liam’s thinking. In a steely voice spoken between gritted teeth, he rejoined, “Are ye proposing that I am too feeble ta tend me own mount… or mayhap addle-pated? Be gone lad before I rethink me choice of squires!” he snapped at him with a slash of his arm.

 
           Liam gulped stammering, “Nay m’laird...I -I mean aye m’laird.” His mouth gaped as he grasped that neither of his answers were good. He spun toward the horses, leapt upon his palfrey and galloped away. “And do nae kill your horse getting there!” Garrick shouted after him.

 
           Angus roared with laughter. Garrick spun on him still clenching his fists. Angus’ eyes crinkled with merriment as he sputtered, “Me thinks young Liam may need ta stop and change his braes afore he returns ta Castle Brodie.” Garrick’s lips began to twitch as the tension seeped from his muscles.

 
           “Aye, do ye think so Angus? Still, the lad must learn ta accept me orders without question. Lives could depend on his response.” His dark eyes began to sparkle as the thought of Liam soiling his braes molded in his mind’s eye. He chuckled beneath his breath.

 
           “Well I trust ye put the fear of God in him this time.” he cackled slapping him on the back. His eyes sobered as he glimpsed at Seonaid. “The lad is just besotted with her.”

 
           “Aye. I ken it. I will have ta resolve what is ta be done with her. I can nae permit a lass that looks like her ta run about me castle unattached. Twould be endless fighting amongst the men.”

 
           “Aye ta be sure she would be a huge distraction. Ye could wed her ta one of the men if she has nae clan or kinfolk.”

 
           Garrick’s head snapped up at the proposal. Wed her to someone else? His eyes narrowed.
Nae while I still draw breath!
He swore to himself.

 
           “She has a father. She carried a parchment on her from him.”

 
           “Who is she then, Garrick? Mayhap your problem is resolved.”

 
           He shook his head. “Her name is Seonaid and she be a maiden still... with nae attachments. But her father did nae sign the message and there was nae seal. From the worth of her gown she must be a chief’s daughter. But nae a rich one.”

 
           A sly mien crept across Angus’ face. “Then keep her if the lassie does nae ken her relations.” He shrugged. “Have her even if she does. They did nae guard her very well. Tis shameful ta leave one such as her exposed ta peril.” He paused allowing the thought to take root. “Were nae we just on a wee trip ta search ye out a bride? Twould nae be unheard of for a highlander ta steal one...and this one fell right in our lap.”

 
           Garrick’s eyes moved over Seonaid. Angus was right. Her family had not protected her at all. He was, similarly, correct about bride stealing being a common practice. Hell, he was right about everything. So why was his honor flinching at this notion? He required a wife and he coveted Seonaid. Still... “Tis nae honorable!”

 
           “Nae honorable?” Angus spat on the ground. “Tis nae honorable ta nae protect her! And bride-stealing is one of the most honorable traditions a highlander can uphold!”

 
           Garrick studied Angus’ weathered face to see if he was jesting but he was dead serious. He meant what he had said.

 
           “Bah! Do what ye will, Garrick! Just remember what I said about letting the one slip away.” He stomped off to find his uisge beatha to settle his ire.
If he was nae cautious, Garrick’s notion of honor was going ta make him miserable! Bah!

 
           Garrick scrutinized Angus as he walked back to camp. He discerned that he was right. There was not one man in the highlands who would call it dishonorable. He would give it more thought after he spoke with the lass. Perhaps she favored someone in particular. He fisted his hands till his knuckles turned white. Nay! He could not accept that.
She will wed me...one way or another!
With his mind made up, he went to her.

 
           Seonaid groaned when he removed the bandage. As the tension slackened a chill shuddered through her. He replaced it with a cool, damp cloth gently positioned alongside her brow soothing the persistent ache. Rough knuckles caressed her cheek.
Garrick.
She felt him pause as his name crossed her thoughts. As if he had overheard her. That was not possible...was it? She did not know.

 
           Her lids opened to find dual, dark sapphire eyes sparkling blue flashes, staring back at her. As she searched his face to see if she recognized him, she saw compassion in his features sprinkled with desire... and consumed with possessiveness. She sucked in her breath at the intensity, instantly regretting it as pain streaked through her bruised ribs.

 
           Concern was etched on his face as he asked, “What is it, Lass?”

 
           “My ribs...they burn,” she whispered breathlessly.

 
           “I will check if ye will countenance it.” She nodded warily. The handsome young chief slowly raised the tunic she wore over her gown, placing it bunched up beneath her full breasts, baring most of her midriff through the tattered fragments of the fine cloth. His breathing grew ragged as he exposed her ribs to the light of day, revealing massive bruising to her waist.

 
           Seonaid grit her teeth as he ran his fingers the length of each bone to be certain that none were broken. “They seem ta be but bruised, lass, I need ta bind them. Twill ease the pain some.”

 
           “If it will help ease the pain then aye, please do.”

 
           Garrick glanced around the camp spying Jamie tending the horses. “Jamie. Fetch me the salve for the horses and something ta bind her ribs.” In a few moments he had the supplies he had requested. He bound her ribs quickly. “Is that improved, Lass?”

 
           She inhaled a slow deep lungful of fragrant pine, smiling for the first time since he had encountered her. It was like the sun abruptly struck him. Heat spread to his groin in a rush leaving his head with scant blood for thinking. His heart thundered in his chest.
Lord she was devastatingly beautiful!

 
          
Her head jerked up as she perceived his thoughts. Then she just as swiftly glanced away. She knew this was not typical. She would need to be vigilant of this curse and pray that it goes away. Her next predicament was much worse.

 
           She cleared her throat blushing as she expressed to him in a hushed voice, “I need some privacy, m’laird.”

 
           “Ye can nae walk. If ye think ye can manage it on your own then I will carry ye and wait nearby.” Her face was red with embarrassment as she agreed.

 
           He swept her into his arms mindful of her bruises and removed her to a secluded spot. Cautiously surveying the surroundings for danger and reassured that she would not fall, he gave her as much privacy as he dared.

 
           A few moments later they returned to the encampment.

 
           “Are ye hungry lass? We were traveling light but we do have some oatcake ye could have. Me men are hunting so there should be a hot meal presently.”